Figurative Language
America is a great melting pot is a metaphor.
What does it mean?
American is full of many different types of people.
Kyle’s mom told him it was time to go to the grocery store. While they were there, they got pizza, cake, ice cream, chips, soda, and candy.
Where did Kyle and his mom go?
They went to the grocery store.
Tina breaks her leg while jumping rope outside?
Is this sentence grammatically correct? If not, how would you change it to make it correct?
Incorrect
Tina broke her leg while jumping rope outside.
Derrick walked into the store, and his father said, “Well, here we are. Like I said, pick out any one you want.” Derrick carefully peered over the side of a tank, and saw small frogs jumping around, catching crickets.
What type of store was Derrick in?
He was in a pet store.
My mother is the warden at my house.
The warden at my house is a metaphor.
What does it mean?
My mother is in charge of the house.
Kyle wondered why his mom was buying pizza, cake, ice cream, chips, soda, and candy. When they got back home, all of Kyle’s friends were there. When he walked in the door, they yelled “SURPRISE!”
Why did Kyle's mom buy all that food?
There was a surprise party for Kyle.
Bill has fifty-five baseball cards in his collection.
Is this sentence grammatically correct? If not, how would you change it to make it correct?
Correct
Derrick walked straight through the store, surveying colorful birds, fish of varying sizes, and a number of scurrying hamsters. His eyes found a cage in the back of the store, where he saw a tail and a pair of ears. He walked toward the animal, bent down and scratched behind his ear as he said, “Hi Charlie.”
What kind of animal could Charlie be?
Charlie could be either a cat or a dog.
You are a stubborn as a mule.
Stubborn as a mule is a simile.
What does it mean?
You're really stubborn, unmoving.
Sarah is in 9th grade this year, and she has made a lot of new friends at her new high school. Sarah told her friend Amy that she would go to a movie with her on Saturday. Sarah and Amy have been friends since elementary school.
What grade is Sarah in?
Sarah's in 9th grade.
Giraffes have long black tongues or no voice boxes.
Is this sentence grammatically correct? If not, how would you change it to make it correct?
Incorrect
Giraffes have long black tongues but no voice boxes.
Mandy lined up with the 6 other athletes at the starting line. She got down into the starting position and waited. She heard a loud “POP” and took off as fast as she could.
What was Mandy getting ready to do?
Mandy was getting ready to run a race.
She sold her locket for a song.
For a song is idiom.
What does it mean?
She didn't get much money for her locket.
Sarah is in 9th grade this year, and she has made a lot of new friends at her new high school. Sarah told her friend Amy that she would go to a movie with her on Saturday. Sarah and Amy have been friends since elementary school.
How long has Sarah and Amy been friends?
They have been friends since elementary school.
Baby Kaylee threw a huge temper tantrum during nap time.
Is this sentence grammatically correct? If not, how would you change it to make it correct?
Correct
Mandy's legs moved fast as she pounded her feet against the asphalt, pumping her arms. She rounded the corner and felt the ribbon break as she crossed the finish line. She looked into the stands and saw her mom, who had tears in her eyes.
What broke as Mandy crossed the finish line?
The ribbon broke as Mandy crossed the finish line.
Listen to this. It's food for thought.
Food for thought is an idiom.
What does it mean?
It's something to think about.
On Friday afternoon, Sarah's new friend Beth asked her to go to the mall on Saturday but she was already going to the movies with Amy. Sarah is not sure what to do. She wants to stay friends with Amy, but she wants to make new friends too.
What do you think Sarah should do?
I think she should speak with Amy about including Beth and invite Beth along to the movie.
The scary ghost story you tell me was very spooky.
Is this sentence grammatically correct? If not, how would you change it to make it correct?
Incorrect
The scary ghost story you told me was very spooky.
Mandy's legs moved fast as she pounded her feet against the asphalt, pumping her arms. She rounded the corner and felt the ribbon break as she crossed the finish line. She looked into the stands and saw her mom, who had tears in her eyes.
Why did Mandy's mom have tears in her eyes?
Mandy's mom had tears in her eyes because she was so happy Mandy won the race.